Get Growing

Have you ever asked a question, knowing full well what the answer was, but hoping if you asked it anyway, that somehow the answer just might be different this time!? Yeah, me too. I was telling my husband, "I see growth in so many areas, and yet in this one area, there is a glaring lack of growth. I've seen huge spurts of growth there before, but now it's just dead and lifeless. Do you ever feel that way?" He says- of course. So here comes the question... "So what do I do about that one area???" Andy's profound response- "Do what you know you need to do to fix that area, and grow." Bummer. That's what I was afraid of. Guess it's time to go work out, feel like it or not...

Our Plans & Waiting...

So today is TUESDAY. I know you know that, but today was the day I've been waiting for. The day we had some questions getting answered. I've trusted, hoped and prayed about today. I've grinned at Andy before falling asleep at night, saying- "Are you excited about Tuesday?" God has laid dreams on our hearts, and today we were going to figured out whether to keep those dreams alive or move on....TODAY. are you getting my point that TODAY was THE day!? (Many of you know that my husband & I have felt for quite some time, that military life was not for us anymore. As the job comes to a close, the "what's next?" question looms over us like a giant mystery.) So this morning, I woke up from a scary bad dream this morning to see Andy sitting on the edge of the bed checking messages. "What's up?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know. "Plans have changed." No, I didn't want to know. and yet I did. "What do you mean!!?!?!?" I try to calm the frustration threatening to choke me before I even know what he is talking about. "We are going to have to wait until another time to get some questions answered." He said that- so calmly. He calmly walked out of the room. He calmly went downstairs to make coffee. He was...CALM. I was NOT. I waited for today. I prayed about today. I was patient for TODAY. Anther day was NOT ok. Hot tears streamed down my face. I knew I need to sit down and pray about this, and keep trusting that it was ok- that God knew all about it. I knew God could handle my venting, so I began to tell Him how I needed it all to change back today, since I needed some direction, some answers, something to plan on TODAY- not some day in the future...when I eventually got to the part in my prayer where I needed to say, "I want YOUR will not mine.." I started to feel a little foolish. I did sit down. I did grab my Bible. I heard God prompt me to look up "plans" in my Bible's concordance. You know, in the back on your Bible where there are subtitles and then phrases from the Bible with that word in it, and a scripture reference to look it up. The only one that popped out at me was one that I wasn't sure what book of the Bible they were referring to because it said "Jas 4." What book was "Jas"??? It annoyed me and made me curious all at the same time. I'm still muttering how disgusting this change of plans is as I look through the Bible and decide the reference must be for James. And then I began to read...(oh my!) James 4:13-17- "Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." Wow. I was acting as though I wanted God's plan for my week, but when plans changed, how quickly I lost sight of who was planning what! Yeah, humanly, I'm still disappointing that plans have changed for my day, but I am now confident that God has a different plan, and that looking back on it, I will point to today as a fork in the road, and be glad I chose (once again) to trust and wait on God for HIS timing and purpose in our lives.

Creator versus the Created

This amazing thought just occurred to me: since we are ALL made in the image of God, that means that all nationalities, skin colors & both male and female COLLECTIVELY make up the image of God. There is no room for racism since that is direct insult to who God is. Every believer should hold to MLK's dream to see all people unified. Unity in worship to the Creator, not the created, would be the strongest force this world has ever known.

(Romans 1:25)

Seeking my "Why"

Oh My! After taking a look back at this time last year, and reading my blog a year ago this week, I find myself a bit frustrated once again, but NOT without hope! Back in boot camp with several challenging work-outs in already this new year, I am armed with the knowledge to make a healthy continuation of my fitness habits...but isn't that what we are ALL armed with? Knowledge? What about determination? Motivation? Commitment? I remember last year being absolutely desperate to change my bad health. Desperate to lose weight, get fit, eat healthy, be a great example to those around me... I am struggling to find my "WHY" for fitness this year. It's no so "new" anymore to do the things that are healthy. I've been on the journey for a year. If feels a bit "old hat". (whatever that means!) I still want all of those things I mentioned above, but what about fresh motivation? Any ideas? Sometimes other areas of our lives feel this way too, right? Like we know the "RIGHT" thing(s) to do and we know the results are worth it, but we struggle to follow through. I was waiting to post until I found my "why", but I felt compelled to write it now before I found the key for 2013, so the victory is that much sweeter. Anyway, Here's me all sweaty and gross after my workout. :) On to the next phase of fitness. (Oh, by the way, I was down another -2.5 pounds this week, so that felt good!)

Transformation Challenge (Take 2)

I started the TrotFitness Transformation Challenge boot camp again today. I am committed to becoming even healthier in 2013 than I did last year! This morning when I came in the house with bags of fresh produce in my hands, Sadie checked the contents and asked, "Are you going to cook healthy again, Mommy?" (with tears in my eyes) "Yes, I AM, Sadie!" I NEED to be healthy for my family, and I am excited to see what can happen with a lot of dedication and hard work in 2013!

Clayton's Show & Tell

Today was Clayton's special day at preschool. He got to bring something for show & tell. (no surprise that it was a Thomas the Train item!) He got to be line leader today too. He brought snack for everybody, which was rice krispy treats, and clementines. The clementines turned out to be an experience, because Clayton was eager to show how kids can peel them all by themselves, starting by digging your thumb in the orange...it was fun to see the kids work at it and song "non-fruits & veggie" eaters try it since everyone else was. :) The most fun part for me, was that I was helper in Clayton's class today, so I got to enjoy every moment of seeing how vibrant my little boy when he interacts at school. I enjoyed every single moment!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree 2012

These pictures posted a bit out of order, but it still gives a good idea of how our day went as a family. The kids were so very excited to pick a tree this year. They decorated the tree by themselves for the first time too. They did a great job. Crazy to see how much they are growing up right before our eyes!!!